How to Make Outdoor Wreaths

Change wreath decorations throughout the year for a multi-seasonal ornament.

From thousands of twinkling Christmas lights to hand-carved and painted wooden lawn angels and snowmen, outdoor holiday Christmas decorations spread season cheer to all who passes by. Homemade outdoor wreaths allow the maker to present a customized ornament, decorated in pinecones, ribbons and flowers.

Things You'll Need

• Coat hanger
• 2 Outdoor garlands
• Clippers
• Florist wire
• Pinecones
• Ribbon
• Artificial poinsettias
• Outdoor ornaments
• Silver glitter or spray snow

Instructions

1. Bend a coat hanger into a circular shape to make a frame for the wreath. You can also purchase wreath frames at a craft store to avoid the hassle of bending the coat hanger.

2. Divide two long strips of outdoor garland into five- to seven-inch pieces, using clippers. If you have a spruce or other evergreen tree, you can substitute the garland pieces with clippings from the tree.

3. Gather three to four garland pieces together at the stems and wrap florist wire around the stems to hold them together. Without breaking the wire, wrap the wire around the wreath frame a few times and pull tightly to hold the garland pieces close to the frame. Cut the florist wire, leaving 4 inches of florist wire attached to use later. Repeat this process for the remainder of the garland pieces or tree clippings until all of the frame has been covered in greenery.

4. Attach additional single pieces of garland clippings to overlap the first layer of greenery on the frame, using the florist wire. Continue to attach single pieces until the wreath looks well filled out, which will require between 12 and 15 individual pieces.

5. Decorate the wreath. To do this, wrap the protruding 4 inches of florist wire, left in Step 3, around pinecones to secure them to the wreath. Make six bows from 6-inch pieces of weatherproof (or indoor/outdoor) ribbon and wrap a small piece of florist wire around the center of the ribbon and attach them to the wreath. For a colorful display, loop pieces of florist wire through artificial poinsettias and the hanging ends of plastic ornaments and attach them to the wreath.

6. Sprinkle some silver glitter over the whole wreath to make it sparkle or spray on some outdoor spray snow.

References

• Saving the Family Money: Thrifty Outdoor Christmas Wreaths